SARS-CoV-2 testing can seem like a choice between accuracy and rapid turnaround time. The rapid Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test uses proprietary Oscar™ PCR technology to shorten thermocycling times and provide a result in 30 minutes. The Limit of Detection (LoD) is among the lowest measured for the FDA SARS-CoV-2 Reference Panel.
The Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test combines the accuracy of PCR with the speed and simplicity of rapid antigen tests, delivering visual results in 30 minutes. The system delivers rapid, accurate, PCR testing with these features:
Accuracy and sensitivity
Comparable to or better than standard lab-based PCR
Self-contained
Fully integrated single-use cassette and reusable dock
Fast turnaround
Proprietary Oscar technology shortens PCR cycling times, providing results in about 30 minutes
Authorized for CLIA-waived environments
Available under FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in settings operating minimally under a CLIA Certificate of Waiver
Test accuracy is measured by percentage agreement with a reference method. In a prospective clinical validation study, the Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test achieved 100% positive and negative percent agreement (PPA and NPA) with an EUA-authorized RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test. In other words, every subject who tested positive according to the comparator test also tested positive according to the Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test, and the same for subjects who tested negative.
Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test |
Comparator test |
||
Positive |
Negative |
Total |
|
Positive |
4 |
0 |
4 |
Negative |
0 |
48 |
48 |
Total |
4 |
48 |
52 |
Positive percent agreement (PPA) |
100% (95% CI: 39.76%–100%) |
||
Negative percent agreement (NPA) |
100% (95% CI: 92.60%–100%) |
||
Overall percent agreement (OPA) |
100% (95% CI: 93.15%–100%) |
||
Nasal swab samples were collected from 52 pediatric patients at a drive-through collection site. Testing was performed with the Accula SARS-CoV2 Test and the comparator method, an EUA-authorized RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test.
Test sensitivity is measured by limit of detection (LoD) using a reference panel. The lower the limit of detection, the smaller the amount of viral RNA the assay can detect. The FDA established a Reference Panel for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), enabling direct comparison of LoD across Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) tests, utilizing standardized material and a common protocol. Data reported by the FDA on a variety of NAATs showed that the LoD of the Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test is comparable to the best lab-based RT-PCR test and far more sensitive than all other rapid methods tested.
Test type |
Limit of detection (NDU/mL**) |
Molecular test |
Developer |
Type of NAAT |
Lab-based NAAT |
600 |
Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2 Assay |
Hologic |
RT-PCR |
1,800 |
cobas SARS-CoV-2 assay |
Roche Molecular Systems |
RT-PCR |
|
1,800 |
Quest SARS-CoV-2 assay |
Quest Diagnostics |
RT-PCR |
|
2,700 |
Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 assay |
Abbott Molecular |
RT-PCR |
|
Rapid NAAT |
475 |
Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test*** |
Mesa Biotech (now Thermo Fisher Scientific) |
RT-PCR |
5,400 |
Xpress Xpert SARS-CoV-2 test |
Cepheid |
RT-PCR |
|
54,000 |
Visby Medical COVID-19 |
Visby Medical |
RT-PCR |
|
60,000**** |
Cue COVID-19 test |
Cue Health |
RT-isothermal |
|
300,000**** |
ID NOW COVID-19 test |
Abbott Diagnostics Scarborough |
RT-isothermal |
* NAAT = nucleic acid amplification test
** NDU = NAAT/detectable units; an FDA-defined measure of the amount of viral material in a sample. NDU/mL is the metric used by the FDA to allow for a more precise comparison of the analytical performance of different molecular in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays intended to detect SARS-CoV-2.
*** Accula SARS-CoV-2 Instructions for Use
**** Evaluated using dry swab protocol
Data source: US FDA. SARS-CoV-2 Reference Panel comparative data. Content current as of 12/07/20. Full text
Standard lab-based qPCR relies on specialized materials and instruments, highly trained personnel, and transportation of specimens to a centralized laboratory. Samples are batched (many are run at the same time on a high-throughput instrument), and time-to-results can vary from several hours to several days.
The Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test accelerates PCR virus detection using our proprietary Oscillating Amplification Reaction (Oscar) PCR technology that enables shortened thermocycling times and faster PCR completion without the need for costly thermal cycler hardware and optical detection systems used in laboratory-based qPCR. Because the test can be administered, run, and interpreted in one place, time-to-results is reduced to 30 minutes—often while the subject waits. This makes the Accula System a practical tool for screening people prior to medical procedures, travel, or at the entrance to a concert or sporting event.
The Accula System consists of the Accula Dock and Accula Test Cassettes. The dock is a small, reusable device about the size of your palm that holds a cassette. It plugs into a standard electrical outlet and provides power to the cassette, which contains the components and reagents for viral lysis, reverse transcription, and PCR amplification. These steps all take place inside the closed cassette under controlled, varying temperatures for optimal results.
The Accula System
When complete, results are visualized on the cassette face as a blue test and/or control line, similar to a home pregnancy test. Each cassette performs a single patient test and is then discarded as biowaste.
Tip: Information about other tests using the Accula System platform is coming soon! Assays for Influenza A/B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Strep A have already received Section 510(k) clearance and CLIA waiver from the FDA.
The Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test has been authorized for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It can be used by facilities that minimally have a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Certificate of Waiver, which is available to clinical laboratories that perform only CLIA-waived tests. “Clinical laboratory” is a broad term that includes hospitals and clinics, but also ambulances, mobile laboratories, and health education fairs.
The Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test is used in health care settings to isolate or defer treatments for patients who are in labor, require preoperative assessment, or who receive chemotherapy. In non-healthcare settings, temporary clinical laboratories have been set up close to where testing is required, such as gymnasiums, workplaces, parking lots, and even trailers. The test is excellent for screening individuals going to work or school, or participating in activities involving close human contact such as sports. It can be used in other mobile settings that need to perform frequent, accurate, rapid SARs-CoV-2 testing.
Currently, the Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test is authorized for use only in the United States. We are actively pursuing additional registrations.
The Accula System workflow is elegantly simple: swab, elute, and follow the prompts on the dock to load the sample and run the test. Hands-on time is 1 minute, after which you can walk away. The dock notifies you to read the results when the test is complete.
The Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test uses a nasal swab or nasal mid-turbinate swab sample. The test allows for self-collection* and elution of a nasal swab sample, minimizing the potential for transmission between subject and tester.
Results appear in 30 minutes in an easy-to-interpret lateral flow readout on the cassette face (circled in red in the illustration), much like a home pregnancy test. Any shade of blue at the T (test) position is interpreted as a positive result. Lacking blue at the T position, any shade of blue at the C (positive control) position is interpreted as a negative result. Finally, any shade of blue at the NC (negative control) position, or no blue anywhere, represents an inconclusive or invalid result and should be repeated.
Reagents are stored at room temperature (15°C–30°C, 59°F–86°F). Eluted samples in Accula buffer may be kept at room temperature for up to 2 hours, or refrigerated at 2°C–8°C and tested within 24 hours from the time of elution. Eluted samples may also be frozen for longer storage.
Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test |
Format |
Test Cassette Kit |
Organism group |
Virus |
|
Detectable analytes |
SARS-CoV-2 RNA |
|
Sample type |
Nasal swab; nasal mid-turbinate swab |
|
Technology |
RT-PCR |
|
Control sets |
High/low/neg |
|
Shelf life |
6 months from date of manufacture |
|
Storage requirements |
Room temperature |
|
Regulatory |
Certifications/ compliance |
FDA Emergency Use Authorized |
CLIA complexity |
Waived |
|
Accula Dock |
Analysis time |
~30 minutes |
Throughput |
~2 tests/hour per dock |
|
Components |
Accula Dock, AC power adapter, AC power cord |
|
Electrical requirements |
Dock power input: 12VDC ± 1VDC, 1A maximum AC Power Adapter Input: 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz AC Power Adapter Output: 12VDC, 2.08A, 25W maximum |
|
Operating temperature |
15°C to 30°C (59 to 86°F) |
|
Dimensions (D x W x H) |
14.5 x 9.9 x 9.7 cm (5.7 x 3.9 x 3.8 in) |
|
Weight |
619 g (<1.4 lb), including Dock, power adapter, and US power cord |
Accula System flyer
Technical notes
| Service | Contact information |
|---|---|
| Technical support | Email: techsupport@thermofisher.com Phone: (800) 955-6288 |
| Customer services | Email: USSD2.customercare@thermofisher.com Phone: (858) 800-4929 |
Check back for information about other rapid tests on the Accula platform, coming soon. Assays for Influenza A/ B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Strep A have already received Section 510(k) clearance and CLIA waiver from the FDA.
Related pages:
Need a CLIA Certificate of Waiver? Here's How to Apply for One
COVID-19 Test Analytical Sensitivity Matters — the Benefits of a Low Limit of Detection (LoD)
COVID-19 Variants and What They Mean for Test Accuracy
Case Study: How to Reopen Doors for Sports and Entertainment During the Pandemic
Case Study: Tarrytown Pharmacy COVID-19 Testing Program
Case Study: Bringing Rapid PCR Testing Into Schools
What’s the Difference Between PCR and Antigen Tests for COVID-19? 5 Factors to Consider
Offer Efficient & Accurate COVID-19 Testing at Your Urgent Care with Results in ~30 Minutes
RT-PCR COVID-19 Results in ~30 Minutes at your Pharmacy
* Patient self-collection: On-site, supervised patient self-collection may be employed to reduce risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission between patients and testing site personnel. Patients may conduct nasal swab self-collection of themselves or a child, as described in the Self Collection Quick Reference Guide. Testing site personnel must provide a physical or digital copy of the Self-Collection Quick Reference Guide to the patient prior to collection. Self-collection must occur on-site, under supervision by testing site personnel. Self-collection is limited to patients 18 years and older. Collection by an adult on a child should only be performed on children 5 years and older. Nasal swabs from children ages 0-4 years should be collected by the clinician.
This test has not been FDA cleared or approved but has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA for use by laboratories certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988, 42 U.S.C. §263a, that meet requirements to perform high, moderate, or waived complexity tests. The test is authorized for use at the Point of Care (POC), i.e., in patient care settings operating under a CLIA Certificate of Waiver, Certificate of Compliance, or Certificate of Accreditation. This test has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. The emergency use of this test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated or authorization is revoked sooner.
For Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Only. For prescription use only. For in vitro diagnostic use.
